German Parliament Revokes AfD MP Krah's Immunity Amid Serious Allegations

The German Bundestag has officially lifted the parliamentary immunity of Maximilian Krah, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, amid serious allegations concerning potential bribery and money laundering linked to payments from China. This decision, made with unanimous support from all parliamentary factions, allows law enforcement to execute searches and seize documents related to the case.

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner announced the decision during a session, emphasizing its significance and urgency. The move follows ongoing investigations into Krah's conduct as a former Member of the European Parliament, where he allegedly engaged in corrupt practices and financial misconduct.

The investigation, initiated by the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office, stems from concerns regarding Krah's financial dealings during his previous political tenure. Reports indicate that he confirmed the existence of an investigative procedure against him earlier this year, while firmly denying all accusations.

In response to the parliamentary decision, Krah expressed his intention to resist what he describes as politically motivated intimidation. He characterized the allegations as baseless and dismissed the searches of his office as an attempt to undermine him.

Subsequent to the Bundestag's ruling, police executed searches in Krah's parliamentary office in Berlin, as well as his private residences in Dresden and Brussels, aided by judicial authorities from Belgium and Eurojust. The authorization for these searches was granted by the Higher Regional Court of Dresden.

The accusations against Krah involve financial transactions linked to his former assistant, Jian G., who is under suspicion of espionage for China. Investigators discovered irregular payments amounting to over EUR50,000, allegedly disguised through fictitious invoices. Krah's former aide is accused of gathering sensitive information concerning European Parliament decisions and activities and reportedly obtained over 500 documents, some classified as highly sensitive.

Krah, who served in the European Parliament from 2019 to 2025, has faced scrutiny for controversial statements and actions throughout his political career. His recent remarks regarding sensitive historical topics have drawn criticism even within his party. Following the lifting of his immunity, the AfD's leadership has called for a swift conclusion to the investigations, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The political landscape surrounding Krah is complicated, as he was previously suspended from the AfD's election campaign due to his provocative comments. His future role within the party remains uncertain as the investigations proceed. The AfD has experienced several instances of immunity revocation among its members in the past, highlighting ongoing issues related to accountability and transparency within the party.